@110dB just curious. In your testing did you ever use the XPSDR or 555PS on the 332? Or was it just with the NPX300. Thanks.
Iām fairly confident not as thought they were PSUs for streamers rather than pre-amps. Good question.
During development only the NPX300 was used for NAC 332 bring up and tuning.
6 Likes
The synchronising inter-product communication wires between the NSC 222 and the NPX 300 run down the larger Burndy (digital).
If two NPX 300 are used the second 300 feeding the analogue circuits would not have synchronised standby and LED brightness, otherwise it works. The power button would have to be pressed manually. Technically this does not meet the 20 min auto-off requirements and hence we we canāt recommend. Some will like and keep the system set to āauto-onā.
2 Likes
Thanks! May be fun to try the 555PS on the 332.
Still canāt get over how much lower the noise level is on the 250.3 so maybe the NPX will be the same way vs the Classic Power supplies.
1 Like
Just read the Whathifi review of the 222. They say that now the new classic sound has less character than before, is more neutral and crisp.
From the review: ā The Naimās presentation is clean and crisp, and we suspect a little less characterful than the companyās previous efforts. No longer do aspects such as rhythmic drive dominate the proceedings, although by general standards the NSC 222 remains capable in this area. This is a more balanced performer than weāve come to expect; one that feels more comfortable working with a wider range of products, and if desired, outside of the Naim ecosystemā.
Does it mean that the prat is a bit diminished or that the sound is less focused on it?
I think it just means that the reviewer had to find something vaguely different to say in the review. I wouldnāt take any notice of it personally.
9 Likes
Itās an opinion. I think what the reviewer is trying to say is that the rhythmic drive is still very much there but is no longer the dominating aspect, that it has other talents that deserve just as much attention.
Interesting that it was used without a Naim power amp, but then maybe that was the point, to show that it can be used effectively that way, either as just a source or as a source and pre-amp, and doesnāt depend on being part of a full Naim system with Naim power amp to shine.
3 Likes
Another review said the exact opposite. Where the Classic was deemed a neutral departure from Naim and New Classic back to the sound signature of older generations.
Itās just a review. And to some degree āexcellentā, āgoodā, āaverageā, and ābadā are the only words that matter. Itās hard to describe sound and I donāt think hifi reviewers manage that any better than people on the forum.
We all imagine slightly different things when someone says a sound is ābrightā, ādarkā, āsoftā etc.
I went from an all Naim system to a mix of Linn streaming preamp and NC NAP250.
The confidence in performance and flexibility of the NAP250 is a strong aspect of its abilities overall.
Whenever Iād heard a 200 Series demo (usually mandatory 3 box setup, despite a desire to hear it as a 2 box system) I had that lingering impression that the NAP250 was the box in charge and the others weāre being told to keep up, Iād certainly be keen to hear what it does when fed by a NAC332 and that still feels preferable to going the NSC222 route.
Iād expect that combo to be popular, even in naked, sans NPX guise and one would imagine likely to sit favourably with a wide range of digital sources, I can see myself doing that and just making my DSM a source, hooking up the XLRās and happy days!
1 Like
Thereās another review of the 222 in Audiophilia site. But I found it pointless. He found the Aavik and AGD streamers clearly better, but costing much much more. He concluded that the 222 is very good for the price.
3 Likes
Interesting the comparison to the Edge NQ
1 Like
Yes , I found too. The reviewer said the Edge is more open and refined vs the 222.
Thatās exactly what Iām doing now with my 222/250 combo. I figured Iād enjoy the 2 box upgrade plenty and at some point I can add the NPX300 and indulge my system with another upgrade.
1 Like
The distinction I was making here being an ability to demo multiple configurations at a dealer, they all seemed determined to only show the 200 Series as a 3 box system.
Admittedly this was early on after initial launch but it felt like Naim could have done a better job managing migration/evolution scenarios including making their special legacy cables available for that purpose.
It felt like dealers had an all or nothing view on what the new series offered whereas inevitably many will be migrating towards it over time and with a mix of older generations and new along the way.
It certainly contributed to my own frustrations and subsequent trade ins and change of direction.
Thankfully the changes have proved positive but it has also seen me investing
further in my Linn DSM in a way Iād not previously anticipated doing.
1 Like
The NC demo with my dealer back in January was more of a laddered approach and was great at showing me the various stages of progress. We started with the bare Nova (all I had at the time) paired with the same speakers I have to āget my ear inā so to speak, then we added the NC 250, then we swapped the Nova for the 222, finally we then changed up the speakers (although I didnāt get on with that part of the proposed path, long story).
Anyway, I guess my point is that my dealer (along with many others, Iām sure) was able to show me a sequential pathway rather than just the destination and I was grateful for that. (Another mention/recommendation for David at Sound Organisation in York - great guy.)
9 Likes
I wonder whether Naim might consider selling those units that can use an external power supply as a package with that PS but without the internal PS? That should make it a little cheaper. It always seemed a bit wasteful to have a box with an unused PS in it.
3 Likes
That effectively makes 2 products, different certifications, different build and test sequences and thatās just the basics, making two slightly different versions of the same thing inevitably makes both of them more expensive.
This was always the appeal of what Iāve been able to do with my Selekt DSM, itās entirely modular and can be repurposed as required.
1 Like
Can you comment on what technical features of Naim systems contribute to the unique Naim sound signature, and say how that has evolved in the new generation of Naim products that are being developed?
2 Likes
Thatās a great question, and one Iāve wondered about - how do Hifi manufacturers explicitly engineer things to retain, or evolve, a āhouse soundā
I suspect itās a function of all sorts of things, and particularly I suspect a bit of uncertainty and trial and error.
Iāve held off from asking, as itās almost like asking what the secret ingredients of a great recipe are, and I donāt expect to be told that other than very high level terms: component choice, circuit design, internal layout (in the context of HiFi, not a great recipe 
)
Be fascinated by any response 
1 Like